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Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2013

February 2014 | by Lee Strand

The outstanding achievements of the youth of Kerry was celebrated with over two hundred and fifty people from across the county, at the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2013 in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in Tralee on Friday, January 24th. The celebration commenced with dinner and was followed by an individual presentation of twenty seven awards, accompanied with an inspiring citation of each winner’s achievements.
Seventeen year old Kieran Enright, from Listowel was announced as the overall winner of the Lee Strand Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards 2013. Elma Walsh presented Kieran with a specially commissioned crystal trophy the “Donal Walsh #Livelife Award” and an overall winner’s certificate to mark his achievement. The four Certificate of Distinction Award Winners were: Mary Doody, Tralee; Katlyn Moynihan, Killarney; Siobhán Ní Ghrifín, Annascaul and Anthony O’Connor, Beaufort, Killarney. The four distinction winners each received a Children of Lir bronze trophy and a distinction award certificate to mark their achievement in this year’s awards. The Voluntary Group Achievement Award was presented to North & East Kerry Development, Youth Group Castleisland.
A merit award certificate was also presented to each of the twenty one Merit Award 2013 Winners: Dearbhla Brennan, Killorglin; Emma Browne, Kenmare; Linda Bruggener, Killarney; Ciara Buckley, Caherciveen; Lorna Canty, Tralee; Cillian Cusack, Tralee; Orlaith Fitzgerald, Tralee; Jimmy Hehir, Ballyheigue; Josie Knight, Dingle; Deirdre Laffan, Tralee; Greg Leahy, Lixnaw; Emer Lynch, Tralee; Jason Lyne, Killarney; Mike Joe McCarthy, Kilgarvan; Graham Nelligan, Tralee; Darren O'Connor, Killarney; Shauna O'Connor, Tralee; Marie O'Connor, Killorglin; Michaela O'Driscoll, Killarney; Shane Ó'Gairbhí, Ceann Tra, Dingle and Sydney Stokes-Hurley, Tralee.
Brendan Walsh, Chairperson, Lee Strand commented “Lee Strand is delighted once again to support the Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards. This is Lee Strand’s 16th year sponsoring this most important event in Kerry, which not only recognises but also celebrates the outstanding achievements of our youth and the voluntary organisations within our community. Congratulations to all winners, you are very worthy recipients.”
Chief Superintendent Pat Sullivan “An Garda Siochana are once again delighted this year to partner with Lee Strand in one the highlights of the social calendar in Kerry. Lee Strand in association with An Garda Siochana have always been proactive in acknowledging and identifying the positive work by young people and voluntary groups to enhance community life in Kerry.”
Twenty one Merit Awards, four Distinction Awards, the Voluntary Group Award and the Overall Winner Award were presented on the night. To recognise the outstanding achievements of Donal Walsh, Lee Strand and the Kerry Garda named the Overall Winner Awards the 'Donal Walsh #Livelife Award'. Donal was no stranger to the Lee Strand/Kerry Garda Youth Achievement Awards and had received a Distinction Award 2010 and a Merit Award 2012.